Salem State University

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Salem State University can be found in Salem, MA, a public college which focuses on only a select few programs offered. Salem State University has an enrollment of nearly eight thousand students.

A SAT or ACT exam may be required before applying to this college. Scores within the range of 1010 (25th percentile) - 1160 (75th percentile) for the SAT exam and in the range of 19 (25th percentile) - 23 (75th percentile) for the ACT exam is typical among applicants admitted to Salem State University. Based on sampled GPA data collected and applied, it is estimated that the Salem State University average GPA range for accepted students is around 2.98 - 3.18. Roughly 90% of all applicant were admitted at Salem State University, and from those that were granted acceptance around 20% continued on to attend. You can get more information from the admissions office website at salemstate.edu.

Overall Salem State University Acceptance Rate - Fall 2020

85.6%

The overall acceptance rate for Salem State University was reported as 85.6% in Fall 2020 with over 5,830 applications submitted to Salem State University. Both in state and out of state applicants are included in these figures. We do not have data on transfer acceptance rates currently.

Accepted Applicants Profile

  • ACT Scores: 19 - 23
  • Average GPA: 2.98 - 3.18

How Hard Is It to Get into Salem State University?

Applicant Selectivity: Medium

The applicant selectivity of Salem State University is about average, as determined by collecting standardized test scores e.g. ACT/SAT and high school average GPA ranges of students who were granted admissions from previous years.

Historical Trend and Acceptance Rate 2024 Projection

The historical trend chart shows acceptance rates from the previous years, from which we have projected the acceptance rate for the 2024-2025 school year. The overall acceptance rate trend for Salem State University has been getting much higher in the past few years.

Acceptance Rate By Year

  • 2016-2017: 73.6%
  • 2017-2018: 81.9%
  • 2018-2019: 84.7%
  • 2019-2020: 85.6%
  • Projected Acceptance Rate 2024-2025: 77.3%

How Does Salem State University Compare?

85.6%
This School
56.7%
National Avg

The acceptance rate for Salem State University is fifty-one percent higher than the national average of all colleges which is around 56.7%.

Nearby Similar College Acceptance Rates

SchoolAcceptance Rate
Endicott College69.3%
Gordon College74.1%
Suffolk University83.6%
Emerson College33.4%

Admissions Rates & Enrollment Rates - Details

General Recommendations & Requirements for Admissions

  • High School GPA Scores are Required
  • School Records are Required
  • College Prep Classes are Required
  • TOEFL Exam (Foreign Language Students) are Required

Number of Applicants, Percent Accepted, and Enrolled Students (Fall 2020)

TotalMaleFemale
Applicants5,82530.8%69.2%
Admitted4,98529.2%70.8%
Enrolled1,01135.7%64.3%

Average ACT/SAT Scores of Applicants to Salem State University (Fall 2020)

SAT® SectionScore Range
Critical Reading510 - 590
Math500 - 570
Total Score1010 - 1160
ACT®Score Range
English0 - 0
Math0 - 0
Composite Score19 - 23
To learn more about the data and calculations that power this site, please visit our data discussion page.